Your Guide to Luxury European Winter Getaways

The winter is a cold, dark, and brutish time. One where all we yearn for is a little bit of vitamin D and some respite from the relentless wind and rain. While for many this means a quick trip to the Costa del Sol, for jet-setters this means packing a back and fleeing to some of the most glamorous winter destinations in Europe. If you're looking for a luxury break this winter to help you make it to the spring, look no further. Here are the top luxury European winter getaways right now.

Courchevel

When it comes to well-heeled skiing away from the crowds, it doesn't get much better than Courchevel in heart of the French Alps. This cluster of four resort villages has something to offer for both beginner and advanced skiers, as well as the most legendary apres ski bars and nightclubs in Europe. If you choose Courchevel for your luxury ski trip, do it right by booking a few nights at L’Apogée Courchevel, a palatial alpine retreat favoured by celebrities and royalty, with rooms available here: https://www.oetkercollection.com/destinations/lapogee-courchevel/.

CourchevelNikolpetr/Shutterstock.com

Monaco

It doesn't get more glamorous than Monaco, the spiritual home of James Bond and the actual home of Grace Kelly herself. Fortunately, room rates in this famously expensive municipality are a fraction of the price during the winter months so you might just grab yourself a bargain. If you do anything during your stay, make sure it's a few rounds of classic European roulette at the Casino de Monte Carlo, preferably with a Martini in hand. European roulette has long been the game of choice among the upper crust, with us mere mortals mostly enjoying the game through online platforms like Paddy Power, which offers European roulette: https://casino.paddypower.com/game/european-roulette-cptn. Do make sure to work on your skills before hitting the casino floor.

MonacoNorth Monaco/Shutterstock.com

Palermo

The rich history and jaw-dropping natural scenery of Sicily are often overlooked in favour of the more obvious bounties of the Italian mainland. However, the Sicilian capital Palermo is fast rising through the ranks to become one of Europe's leading luxury destinations. Lower prices than Rome and Milan also mean that visitors can arrange to stay in renaissance palaces like the Palazzo Brunaccini for less than $100 a night. While not the ritziest of settings, any visitor to Palermo is obligated to spend an evening stuffing their face at Osteria dei Vespri (http://www.osteriadeivespri.it/en/home/), a rustic joint that's considered one of the best restaurants in the world.

Lucerne

A sumptuous jaunt to Switzerland needn't be all about the ski slopes. Whilst Lucerne offers plenty of easy access to the best of the Alps for the determined sportsman, this compact city excels in offering urban distractions from the cold weather. The medieval town centre is a joy to stroll through and is packed with a number of acclaimed art galleries, often featuring lines of art dealers and collectors outside looking to snap up a rare masterpiece for their collections. Make sure to warm your soul with a divinely decadent hot chocolate at Bachmann (https://www.confiserie.ch/), which should stave off the cold until March.

We all need to indulge in a little luxury from time to time, and winter is the best time to do so. Put the bleakness behind you for a few days and experience Europe in true luxurious style.